Policy heavyweights descend on Tyneside for highly anticipated energy conference set to supercharge regional growth and development.

The North East is in the midst of a green energy revolution and Northern Powergrid, the company that powers 3.9m homes and businesses across the North East, Yorkshire and northern Lincolnshire, is bringing together policymakers, business leaders and industry experts to plot the essential steps needed to unlock growth, jobs and clean power in the region.

The grid is going through its biggest ever upgrade to meet the Government’s clean energy goals, and the electricity distributor is investing £3bn in its network infrastructure between 2023-2028 to support regional growth and net zero ambition.

The conference will feature a keynote address from Tom Hughes, Assistant Director of Energy at the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority. With extensive experience across energy, transport, regulation and resilience, Tom brings a wealth of expertise to the discussion. Following this week’s merger of the National Infrastructure Commission (NIC) with the Infrastructure and Projects Authority to form the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority, his insights will be crucial to understand the UK’s evolving infrastructure landscape.

Tom will be joined by Northern Powergrid’s CEO Phil Jones. Together, they will delve into the what's needed to make sure regional growth and decarbonisation go hand-in-hand. 

The high-profile event is taking place at The Glasshouse International Centre for Music in Gateshead, an iconic venue selected for its shared commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility.

Tom Hughes said: “It’s great to come and talk to stakeholders and hear their views on the transition to net zero. Our work at a national level can only be effective if it reflects the priorities of people and business across the North East and Yorkshire, and across the rest of the country. I look forward to continuing these discussions now that we’ve made the transition to NISTA.”

With electricity demand set to double, Northern Powergrid’s Director of Energy Systems Paul Glendinning, will be joined by Julian Leslie from NESO (National Energy System Operator) and Paul van Heyningen, DESNZ (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero) for a thought-provoking discussion on how energy networks must be an enabler of change.

Jim Cardwell, Northern Powergrid’s Head of Energy Systems Policy, will be joined by regional business leaders and local government representatives for a panel exploring how clean power can drive inward investment and fuel regional economic growth